Fade One Image Onto Another in Photoshop

Blending photos together is one of the many ways you can use Adobe Photoshop. This can be accomplished by layering two images and adjusting the gradient or opacity of picture. You will need to add two pictures to different layers on the same file, add a layer mask, then make adjustments with the gradient tool. Adjusting opacity uses a similar process. Don’t forget to double check your layers to ensure the changes are being made where you want them.

Steps

Using the Gradient Tool

  1. Open an image in Photoshop. Select “Open” from the “File” menu and browse for the first image you want to use as your base.
  2. Open the “Layer” menu and select “Add New Layer”. This menu is located in the top menu bar. Layers allow you to make edits to a picture without altering the base image.
  3. Add your second image to the new layer. Select “Place” from the “File” menu and browse for the second image you want to use to fade into the first.
  4. Click and drag the images to reposition them. Place the image edges next to each other where you want the fade effect to occur.
    • Background images cannot be moved. If one of your images is set as a background image, hold Alt (Windows) or ⌥ Option (Mac) and double click “Background” in the Layer Palette (located in the lower right by default) to convert it to a normal layer.
  5. Select the layer you want to fade from the Layer Palette. This window displays all of you current layers and is located in the lower right by default.
  6. Click “Add Layer Mask”. This button is represented by a circle inside of a square and is located in the bottom toolbar of the Layer Palette. A thumbnail of the mask will appear next to the layer to which it was added.
  7. Click the thumbnail to select the layer mask. The thumbnail will be highlighted indicating it is selected.
  8. Select the Gradient Tool from the Tools Palette. The Gradient Tool is indicated by a square with two colors fading into each other. The Tool Palette is located on the left by default.
    • You can use the keyboard shortcut G to select the tool as well.
  9. Open the Gradient Picker. The Gradient Picker is located in the top left corner of the upper toolbar after the Gradient Tool is selected and will display a menu with different gradients to choose from.
  10. Select the black to white gradient. The black to white gradient is third from the left in the top row of the Gradient Picker.
    • Other gradients can be used (using colors, for example), but black to white fits best for a standard fade effect.
  11. Click and drag from the point on the image where you want the fade effect to start.
    • Double check that the layer mask is selected before applying the gradient or the fade effect won’t work properly.
    • Press and hold ⇧ Shift to force your cursor to move in a straight line.
  12. Release the cursor where you want the fade effect to end. Upon releasing, your fade effect will display on the image.[1]
    • If you want to undo your gradient and try again, press Ctrl+Z (Windows) or ⌘ Cmd+Z (Mac).

Adjusting the Opacity

  1. Open an image in Photoshop. Select “Open” from the “File” menu and browse for the first image you want to use as your base.
  2. Open the “Layer” menu and select “Add New Layer”. This menu is located in the top menu bar. Layers allow you to make edits to a picture without altering the base image.
  3. Add your second image to the new layer. Select “Place” from the “File” menu and browse for the second image you want to use to fade into the first.
  4. Select the layer you want to fade from the Layer Palette. This window displays all of you current layers and is located in the lower right by default.
    • Make sure the layer you want to fade is “on top” of the other image. You can click and drag layers in the Layer Palette to rearrange them. Layers listed above others are located on top.
  5. Select the “Opacity” menu. This is located at the top of the Layer Palette.
  6. Adjust the opacity to fit your desired level of transparency. As you lower the opacity, the image will become increasingly transparent, revealing the image other image below. 100% is completely opaque and 0% is completely transparent.[2]
    • You can also adjust the opacity as a slider by going to “Layers > Layer Style > Blending Options” from the top menu bar.

Things You'll Need

  • Photoshop
  • Two images

Related Articles

Sources and Citations

  1. ↑ http://www.photoshopessentials.com/photo-effects/photo-blend/
  2. ↑ http://www.dummies.com/how-to/content/how-to-adjust-layer-opacity-in-photoshop-cs6.html
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